Psalm 9

Order of Service

• Sermon
• Pastoral Prayer

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Sermon Title: Praising a Sovereign God in a Fallen World

Scripture: Psalm 9

I. Begin Prayer with Praise — Psalm 9:1–2

A. One of the hardest challenges in prayer is knowing how to start B. Psalm 9:1–2 sets the heart on God in his majesty and gets prayer flowing C. Practical encouragement: memorize Psalm 9:1–2 as a launching point

1. Useful in personal prayer and in public or group prayer settings
2. Reciting it directs prayer Godward and in accordance with Scripture
3. From that foundation, prayer can be robust, heartfelt, and truth-centered D. Context from earlier psalms: Psalms 3–7 address the ugliness of life as pilgrims in a fallen world E. Psalm 8 serves as a hinge, lifting eyes above bad news to behold God's wonders and majesty

II. Let Corporate Worship Shape Your Personal Prayer Life — Psalm 73

A. Sunday worship is not merely a weekly obligation to be put behind us B. The psalmist in Psalm 73 gained right perspective on the wicked only when he entered the sanctuary and beheld God's glory C. Corporate worship is meant to magnify and exalt God, not be lackadaisical or flippant

1. The ordinary means of grace — songs, sermons, prayers, confessions — are designed to lift hearts upward
2. The liturgical flow of the service is meant to point hearts to God D. What is received on Sunday should carry over and shape the believer's daily prayer life

III. Praise God for His Sovereign Reign and Assured Victory in Christ

A. The sovereignty of God and predestination are not given in Scripture as philosophical arguments B. They are always presented as comfort to the saints

1. God holds his people and will never let them go
2. He controls tomorrow, next year, and the whole of life
3. He promises victory in and through Jesus Christ C. The sovereignty of God is a balm to the soul, especially when wickedness seems to prevail D. Pray the sovereignty of God — it runs throughout the Psalter and all of Scripture, always given as comfort